一、昔唐慎微撰《证类》，悉收古今验方附入，《纲目》因之增广数倍。第收括太繁，未
经
详择，优劣并载，不无包荒。兹于千万方中，加意去取。凡险危峻猛、赝伪邪僻之品，用之
而意有畏难者，并弃如遗。所有精详真实、轻淡简便之剂，试之而效如应响者，悉收入录。
更于诸家大剂，选其尤切实者，与所带试奇效大小诸方，随附每味之下，则庶几因症查方，
任意驱使，可无畏缩忐虚之虑。
一、医家本草不读，则药性不明；即偶读矣，或旋忘之，虽读如无读，而仍药性不明；
药性
不明，于病之寒热虚实虽悉，于药之寒热温凉则昧，且于药之反畏宜忌，更相违逆。如是欲
用药却病，将药与症，两不相符，而欲拯厄拔苦，生死骨肉也，难矣。兹于精拣各方，附于
各药之下，因症用方，按门查寻，一览而知方所在，即一览而知药之性，盖方之所在，即药
性之所在也。
一、用药治病，有轻病立愈，重病悠轻，小症忽大，危症卒死者，峻猛大剂是也；有小
病略
瘥，大病少效，轻症不重，重症不危者，轻淡小方是也。盖以峻猛治病，恒治十而愈六，而
四者必损。何者？不有大胜，必有大败也。以轻淡治病，每疗十而愈四，而六者无恙。何者
？纵无大功，亦无大过也。兹于小方，则加倍收之，于大剂，则约略举之。盖早储此心于不
求有功，只求无过之地。惟其不求有功也，而医家之功量，正无限矣。
一、医家治病，当以常问此心，无所抱愧为主。盖用药如用兵，难保常胜。我朝徐洄溪，
江
南宿儒也。其导人以行医之道，惟小心谨慎，择清淡切病之品，俾病势少减，即无大功，亦
不贻害。若欺世徇人，止知求利，乱投重剂，一或有误，无从挽回。病家纵不知，而此心不
能无愧也。愚以为非阅历深者，不能有此确论。兹所附诸方，皆轻淡切病之品，治病期以缓
攻，而效不欲速收。药方与本草，相辅而行，为寿世无穷之利。医家执此以行，则终身无抱
愧之时矣。
一、是编有本草未及载，而主治颇详于方中者，如甘草治下痢、疗羸瘦，防风通便秘、
解诸
毒之类是也，读者由此而推测之，自能悟本草主治，犹有未尽之秘，依经制方，复有旁通之
妙。盖本草与药方，相须而行，大有裨益。而近世选本草者，每于诸药主治，则详言之，于
所药方，悉屏弃之，是未谙本草与药方，相辅而行之义也夫。
一、是编诸方，于药之贵重者，悉多不录。以贵重者多伪，而且费资浓，取浓资买伪药，
以
伪药治真病，于医、病两无所益。不惟无益，而反有损，故不多录。
一、是编诸方，于药之遐僻者，亦不重载。以遐僻者，其来不易，或经雨湿虫蛀，渝其
故色
，或出殊产异道，失其常性。愚以为用药之际，当即照本草察其形色，尝其气味，各与本草
吻合，方为真品。然后再照如何炮炙，而后用之，方属妥当。
一、是编诸方，于药之习见习知者，独加详收。以习见习知者，多真实无伪也。
一、是编诸方，即不常习医之人，亦可照症查方。如遇病患所求，即照目录中，查其所
病，
再照所病，查其所兼症，乃照所症，寻篇查其所宜方。或此方不妥，再查目录中，另查彼方
。或彼方仍不妥，欲另取大方，即照诸方中大方加减取用。仍即所方本部，查其药性之寒热
温凉、反畏宜忌，再即病之寒热虚实，而合观之，尽任用药。即不小效，亦无大咎。凡尿赤
便燥，舌苔气粗口渴者，实热也。尿清便滑，舌润气微，口不渴者，虚寒也。然外感初得，
舌色亦润，不可不知。
一、是编当家值一部，以备缓急之需。盖即稍识字之人，亦可照症查方。或山僻之区，
无地
求药，或贫寒之家，乏资制剂，即照目录所症。其旁注中，有所习见习知之品，而所习见习
知之品，即方中之君药，或即此单方一味。如此方不妥，或不效，欲另择一方，仍照前再查
一方。盖方随意到，用之不尽也。
一、有谓古方不能治今病者，此大谬也。夫病不外乎六淫七情，试问风寒暑湿，古今之
天气
，有以异乎？喜怒忧思，古今之人情，不相侔乎？如果有异而不侔，何《伤寒》、《金匮》诸
方，用之而效验如响，唐、宋以下诸方，用之而有效有不效者，岂以仲景为今，而唐、宋以
下为古耶？盖非古方之不效于今，而实今人之不复能用古也。兹撰大方，不遗仲景，而唐、
宋以下，仍择其精详者，悉附记载，聊备用方者之去取云尔。
一、从前唐慎微撰写《证类本草》时，收录了古今所有经过验证的方剂并附在其中，《本草纲目》因此增加了数倍的内容。只是由于收录过于繁杂，没有经过详细的筛选，优劣混杂记载，难免有粗疏遗漏之处。现在我从千万个方子中，特意进行取舍。凡是那些药性险峻危急、猛烈霸道，或者赝品伪劣、邪僻不正的药物，使用它们让人心里感到畏惧困难的，一律抛弃不要。所有那些精当详细、真实可靠、药性轻灵清淡、简便易行的药剂，试用后效果如回声般迅速的，全部收入录中。另外从各家的大方剂中，选取其中尤其切实有效的，与我随身携带试用过确有奇效的大小各种方子，分别附在每一味药材之下，这样或许就能做到根据症状查找方剂，随意运用，可以没有畏缩忐忑的顾虑。
二、医家如果不读本草书，就不明白药性；即使偶尔读过，如果很快就忘记了，虽然读了如同没读一样，仍然不明白药性；不明白药性，对于疾病的寒热虚实虽然清楚，但对于药物的寒热温凉则模糊不清，而且对于药物之间的相反、相畏、适宜和禁忌，更是相互违背冲突。像这样想要用药来祛除疾病，将会导致药物与病症两者不相符合，想要拯救危难、解除痛苦，使骨肉至亲起死回生，那就很难了。现在我在精心挑选的各首方剂下，附注于各味药材之下，根据症状使用方剂，按照门类查阅寻找，一眼就能看到方剂所在，也就一眼能知道药性所在，因为方剂所在的地方，就是药性所在的地方。
三、用药治病，有轻病立刻痊愈，重病逐渐减轻，小病突然加重，危症突然死亡的，这是因为使用了峻猛的大方剂；有小病稍微好转，大病稍有效果，轻症不严重，重症不危险的，这是因为使用了轻淡的小方剂。大概用峻猛的药治病，常常治疗十人而治愈六人，但其余四人必定受损。为什么呢？因为没有巨大的胜利，就必然有巨大的失败。用轻淡的药治病，每治疗十人而治愈四人，其余六人安然无恙。为什么呢？纵然没有巨大的功劳，也没有大的过错。现在对于小方剂，则加倍收录；对于大方剂，则简要列举。大概是早将心思放在不求有功，只求无过的境界上。正因为不求有功，那么医家的功量，正是无限的。
四、医家治病，应当经常反省自己的内心，以无所愧疚为主旨。大概用药如同用兵，难以保证常胜不败。我朝代的徐洄溪，是江南著名的老儒生。他引导人们行医之道，只强调小心谨慎，选择清淡且切合病情的药物，使得病势稍微减轻，即使没有巨大功劳，也不会留下祸害。如果欺世盗名、迎合他人，只知道追求利益，乱投重剂，一旦有误，就无法挽回。病人家属纵然不知道，但医者内心不能无愧疚。我认为如果不是阅历深厚的人，不能得出这样确切的结论。现在所附的各种方剂，都是清淡且切合病情的药物，治病期望以缓慢攻伐的方式见效，而不追求快速收效。药方与本草相辅而行，为造福世人带来无穷的利益。医家拿着这些去行医，那么终身就没有愧疚的时候了。
五、这部书中有本草未及记载，但在方剂主治中描述颇详细的，比如甘草治疗下痢、疗治消瘦，防风通便秘、解各种毒之类就是如此，读者由此推测，自然能领悟本草的主治功能，还有未尽的奥秘，依照经典制定方剂，又有旁通变化的妙处。大概本草与药方，互相需要而行，大有裨益。而近代人选编本草时，往往对诸药的主治功能详细论述，却把相关的药方全部摒弃，这是不明白本草与药方相辅而行的道理啊。
六、这部书中的各种方剂，对于价格昂贵的药物，大多不收录。因为昂贵的药物多假冒伪劣，而且耗费资金，花费重金购买假药，用假药治疗真正的疾病，对医生和病人两方面都没有益处。不仅没有益处，反而有损害，所以不多收录。
七、这部书中的各种方剂，对于偏远偏僻产地的药物，也不重复记载。因为偏远地区的药物，来源不容易，或者经过雨湿虫蛀，改变了原来的颜色，或者出自特殊的产地和道路，失去了正常的性质。我认为用药的时候，应当立即对照本草观察其形状颜色，品尝其气味，各自与本草药材的特征吻合，才是真品。然后再按照如何炮制的方法，然后才使用它，才算妥当。
八、这部书中的各种方剂，对于平时常见熟悉的药物，单独加以详细收录。因为常见熟悉的药物，大多真实没有假冒。
九、这部书中的各种方剂，即使是不常学习医学的人，也可以根据症状查找方剂。如果遇到病患求助，就按照目录中，查找他所患的疾病，再根据所患疾病，查找他所兼有的症状，然后根据症状，寻找篇章查看适宜的方剂。如果这个方剂不妥当，再查目录中，另查另一个方剂。如果那个方剂仍不妥当，想要另取大方剂，就按照诸方中的大方剂加减取用。仍然就在该方剂的所属部分，查找其药性的寒热温凉、相反相畏适宜禁忌，再结合疾病的寒热虚实，综合观察，任意使用药物。即使没有显著效果，也没有大的过失。凡是尿色红赤、大便干燥、舌苔厚、呼吸气粗、口渴的，属于实热证。凡是尿色清亮、大便滑利、舌面湿润、呼吸微弱、口不渴的，属于虚寒证。然而外感病初起时，舌色也是湿润的，这一点不可不知道。
十、这部书应当每家都备置一部，以备缓急之需。大概即使是稍微识字的普通人，也可以根据症状查找方剂。或者是山僻地区，没有地方求药，或者是贫寒之家，缺乏资金制剂，就按照目录中的症状。其旁边注释中，有平时常见熟悉的药物，而平时常见熟悉的药物，就是方剂中的君药，或者就是这单方一味药。如果这个方剂不妥当，或者无效，想要另选一方，仍然照前法再查一方。大概方剂随着心意到达，使用不尽。
十一、有人称古方不能治疗今病，这是极大的谬误。疾病不外乎六淫（风、寒、暑、湿、燥、火）和七情（喜、怒、忧、思、悲、恐、惊），试问风寒暑湿，古今的天气，有什么不同吗？喜怒忧思，古今的人情，不相等吗？如果有不同而不相等，为什么《伤寒论》、《金匮要略》等方剂，使用它们效果如回声般迅速，唐宋以下的方剂，使用它们有的有效有的无效的，难道是因为张仲景是现代人，而唐宋以下是古人吗？大概不是古方在今天无效，而是实际上现代人不再能正确使用古方了。现在撰写大方剂，不遗漏张仲景的方子，而唐宋以下，仍然选择其中精当详细的，全部附载记录，姑且供使用方剂者去选取罢了。
1. In the past, when Tang Shenwei compiled *Zhenglei Bencao* (Certified Classification of Materia Medica), he collected all ancient and modern verified prescriptions and appended them. *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica) subsequently expanded this content several times over. However, the collection was too extensive and lacked detailed selection, mixing superior and inferior items without omission or discrimination. Now, from tens of thousands of prescriptions, I have carefully selected and discarded those that are dangerous, critical, harsh, fierce, counterfeit, fake, or heterodox. Those whose use causes hesitation or fear are discarded entirely. All prescriptions that are precise, detailed, authentic, mild, light, simple, and convenient, which yield immediate effects like an echo upon trial, are fully recorded. Furthermore, from major prescriptions of various schools, I have selected those that are particularly practical and effective, along with various large and small prescriptions I have personally tested for miraculous efficacy, appending them under each herb. This way, one can search for prescriptions based on symptoms and employ them freely, without fear or trepidation.
2. If physicians do not read *Bencao* (Materia Medica), they will not understand drug properties; even if they occasionally read it, forgetting it quickly renders the reading useless, leaving them ignorant of drug properties. Ignorance of drug properties means that although one may know the cold, heat, deficiency, and excess of diseases, one remains confused about the cold, heat, warm, and cool nature of drugs, and further misunderstands the incompatibilities (Xiang Fan), mutual fears (Xiang Wei), and contraindications of drugs. In such a state, attempting to treat diseases with medication will result in a mismatch between drugs and symptoms. To rescue patients from distress and alleviate suffering, potentially saving lives, would be extremely difficult. Now, I have appended carefully selected prescriptions under each herb. By using prescriptions according to symptoms and searching by category, one can locate the prescription at a glance and thereby understand the drug properties, for where the prescription lies, there lie the drug properties.
3. In treating diseases with medication, some cases show immediate recovery from minor illnesses, gradual improvement of severe illnesses, sudden worsening of minor conditions, or sudden death from critical conditions; these are due to the use of harsh and fierce major prescriptions. Conversely, some cases show slight improvement in minor illnesses, marginal efficacy in severe illnesses, non-seriousness of minor conditions, and non-critical nature of severe conditions; these are due to the use of mild and light minor prescriptions. Generally, using harsh drugs to treat disease often cures six out of ten cases, but damages four. Why? Because without great victory, there must be great defeat. Using mild drugs to treat disease often cures four out of ten cases, while six remain unharmed. Why? Because even without great merit, there is no great fault. Therefore, I have doubled the inclusion of minor prescriptions and briefly listed major prescriptions. This reflects a mindset of seeking no merit, only avoiding fault. Precisely because one seeks no specific merit, the physician's capacity for merit becomes infinite.
4. When treating diseases, physicians should constantly examine their conscience, making the absence of guilt the primary goal. Medication is like warfare; constant victory cannot be guaranteed. Xu Huixi of our dynasty, a renowned scholar from Jiangnan, guided people in the art of medicine by emphasizing caution and prudence. He advised selecting mild and clinically appropriate drugs to slightly reduce the disease severity. Even without great merit, this approach avoids causing harm. In contrast, deceiving the world to please others, knowing only how to seek profit, and indiscriminately administering heavy doses leads to irreversible errors if mistakes occur. Although the patient's family may not know, the physician's conscience cannot be free of guilt. I believe that only those with profound experience can reach such definitive conclusions. The prescriptions attached here are all mild and clinically appropriate drugs. They aim for slow therapeutic action rather than rapid results. Prescriptions and *Bencao* complement each other, providing endless benefits to the world. Physicians who practice with these will never feel guilty throughout their lives.
5. This compilation includes details in prescriptions that are not covered in *Bencao*, such as Gancao (Licorice Root) treating dysentery and wasting syndrome, or Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root) relieving constipation and detoxifying various poisons. Readers can infer from this that the curative functions described in *Bencao* still hold hidden secrets. Following classics to formulate prescriptions reveals further subtleties. *Bencao* and prescriptions mutually support each other, offering significant benefits. However, recent editors of *Bencao* often detail the indications of herbs while discarding relevant prescriptions, failing to understand the complementary relationship between *Bencao* and prescriptions.
6. This compilation largely excludes prescriptions containing expensive herbs. Expensive herbs are often counterfeit and costly. Spending heavily to buy fake herbs to treat genuine diseases benefits neither the doctor nor the patient. It causes harm rather than benefit, hence they are rarely recorded.
7. This compilation also does not repeatedly record herbs from remote or obscure regions. Such herbs are hard to obtain, may be damaged by rain, moisture, or insects, losing their original color, or may come from unusual origins, losing their normal characteristics. I believe that when using herbs, one must immediately check their shape and color against *Bencao*, taste their aroma, and ensure they match the standard descriptions to confirm authenticity. Only after verifying proper processing methods should they be used.
8. This compilation specifically details commonly known and frequently used herbs, as these are mostly authentic and free from counterfeits.
9. Even those not regularly studying medicine can use this book to find prescriptions based on symptoms. When encountering a patient, consult the index for the disease, then identify accompanying symptoms, and finally search the chapters for suitable prescriptions. If a prescription is unsuitable, consult the index again for another option. If still unsuitable and a major prescription is needed, modify one from the major prescriptions section. Refer to the specific section of the chosen prescription to check the cold, heat, warm, cool nature, and incompatibilities/contraindications of its ingredients. Combine this with the disease's cold, heat, deficiency, and excess patterns to guide usage. Even if efficacy is modest, serious errors are avoided. Signs of Excess-Heat include red urine, dry stool, thick tongue coating, coarse breathing, and thirst. Signs of Deficiency-Cold include clear urine, loose stool, moist tongue, weak breathing, and lack of thirst. Note that in early stages of external contraction, the tongue may also appear moist; this must be recognized.
10. Every household should keep a copy for emergencies. Even literate laypeople can find prescriptions based on symptoms. In remote areas lacking access to medicines, or in poor families lacking funds for preparation, one can refer to the symptoms in the index. The annotations mention commonly available herbs, which often serve as the Sovereign (Jun) herb in prescriptions or can be used as single-herb remedies. If ineffective, simply search for another prescription. Prescriptions can be adapted infinitely according to needs.
11. Some claim ancient prescriptions cannot treat modern diseases; this is a gross error. Diseases stem from the Six Evils (Wind, Cold, Summerheat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire) and Seven Emotions (Joy, Anger, Worry, Thought, Grief, Fear, Fright). Ask yourself: Is the weather regarding Wind, Cold, Summerheat, and Dampness different today from ancient times? Are human emotions regarding Joy, Anger, Worry, and Thought unchanged? If they were different, why do prescriptions from *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage) and *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet) work as effectively as echoes today? Why do some post-Tang and Song prescriptions work while others do not? Is Zhang Zhongjing considered modern while Tang and Song figures are ancient? No, it is not that ancient prescriptions are ineffective today, but that modern people no longer know how to correctly apply them. In compiling these major prescriptions, I have included Zhang Zhongjing’s formulas without omission, and selected the most precise ones from post-Tang and Song periods, appending them for reference and selection by practitioners.